Don’t Get Caught Out By Disrepair Claims
We want to help you keep your home safe and in good condition. If something is broken, like your heating, electrical sockets, or toilet, please tell us as soon as possible so that we can do our best to fix it.
We've recently seen some companies trying to get residents to make disrepair claims, which can sound appealing on the surface, but can cause big problems. They may offer a property inspection and could call you, send you letters or leaflets or could even come to your door.
What Is a Disrepair Claim?
This is when someone takes legal action because repairs that need to be carried out haven't been done. Some companies say they can help you get money or force repairs, but they don't always tell the full story.
We'd prefer to work with you to sort out any repairs that are needed. One way we can do this is through something called Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR). This means we'll keep you informed about what repairs are needed, and make sure the work is done as quickly as possible.
What's the Problem?
These companies:
- Might make it look like they are from South Essex Homes or Southend-on-Sea City Council. They are not.
- Say you'll get compensation, but don't mention the hidden costs.
- Ask you to sign papers without explaining the risks.
- May seem to be acting with your best interests at heart, but it is a big money-making exercise because those companies claim for high legal fees. We strongly defend any such claims made against us, which costs South Essex Homes a lot of money in legal fees for our own lawyers, which in turn reduces the money available in our budget for repairs and improvements in your home. Some people have ended up with big debts and unexpected legal costs after using these companies.
What Can Go Wrong?
- You might have to pay money up front.
- They can charge high fees even if they say it's 'no win, no fee'.
- If the claim fails, you could be responsible for both your legal costs and ours.
What Should You Do?
If something in your home needs fixing:
- Tell us first - we're here to help. If problems have been going on for some time, please use our Complaints process or contact the Housing Ombudsman.
- Don't sign anything from people you don't know.
- Check ID - our staff always carry ID badges.
Need Help?
To report a repair you can call us on 0800 833 160 or visit Report a Repair | South Essex Homes. We'll always try to repair problems quickly and safely.
We know we don't always get it right, and we're committed to improving. If you're unhappy with our repairs service, please give us a chance to put things right by submitting a complaint: https://southessexhomes.co.uk/complaints